Now, virtual reality windows that let you try on sunglasses without wearing them

Apr 21, 5:00 pm

New York, April 21 (ANI): Busy shoppers in New York can now try on sunglasses without stepping inside the store.

American department store Bloomingdale has introduced a new store-window technology that lets passersby see how they look in a variety of designer sunglasses.

Virtual-reality technology projects designer shades onto shoppers who simply stand in front of the Lexington Ave. windows, the New York Daily News reported.

People tried out the technology in the Marc Jacobs window during a test run before Thursday's launch.

There are six interactive windows in place through May 7, each showing four women's frames by a different designer. Other brands include Gucci, Fendi, Miu Miu, Prada and Roberto Cavalli.

"This gives customers the opportunity to try on different style frames," said John Klimkowski, Bloomingdale's operating vice president and creative director of visual and merchandising presentation.

"It gives them a chance to play around to see which ones fit their faces better. They can compare each of the designers' styles," he added.

The "Virtual Style Bar" windows work by aligning your eyes with ovals on the glass. Once you're in the right place, it takes a few seconds for the sunglasses to appear on your face on a 42-inch HD flat screen.

Users can try on all four pairs in each window by tapping different icons on the screen.

"We are utilizing LCD screens that identify where your eyes are when you look into the screen," Klimkowski explained.

"The technology actually allows the customer to turn their head and see how the sunglasses look on the side of their face. So they could see the arm and how that rests," he said.

"There's always a challenge when we're using technology in the windows because of the amount of traffic that goes by. This was extremely difficult because we had to get the technology so tight that the camera wouldn't lose contact with your face as other people passed," stated Klimkowski.

It worked for most of the women trying it out.

The shades range in price from 250 dollars to 450 dollars.

In addition, shoppers who like what they see can tap the screen to print out a picture of themselves in the shades.

The prints come out in the Sunglass Style Bar on the main floor of Bloomingdale's. There, a stylist can further guide customers on which frames best match the face and hair, or direct them to their chosen pair. (ANI)